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November 2025
¿Qué tal, Neuphorians?
A truly remarkable LP was released on November 7, LUX by ROSALÍA. Sung in 13 different languages, backed by the London Symphony Orchestra and exposing her audience to Opera, Classical, Andalusian, Flamenco, Fado, Latin Folklorico- you name it, critics are saying the following about LUX:
- “A masterpiece ruminating on mortality, lust, sainthood and idolatry” (The Independent)
- “Rosalía’s vocal performances……are spectacular firework displays of talent” (New Music Express)
- “LUX is an explosive, experimental album that demands a lot from its listeners,
but not without offering resplendent gifts of beauty, drama and grace.” (PASTE)
- “Could this be the best album ever?” (text to me from another Neuphorian)
And- LUX is also presently the world’s most streamed LP!
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The November Playlist direct links are:
If you wish to vote on the November Playlist, please submit your votes by EOD Sunday, December 7 PT (Monday December 8 for the Europeans, Aussies and South Americans).
The December playlist will be the best of 2025😀
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¡Disfruten escuchando!
ROSALÍA, Reliquia (Latin/Classical)- Given that LUX is a symphony, with 4
movements, listening to a single cut from the LP misses LUX’s true power and ambition.
However, Reliquia was the #1 most streamed song this week on Reddit’s major
r/popheads group- and features Rosie’s virtuosa vocals singing metaphorically of
being shaped by and “losing” parts of herself on her global music odyssey, such that
she has become a “Reliquia” (relic).
LUX inspirations- ROSALÍA’s stories on LUX were inspired by her research on hagiographies of female saints (including a Buddhist nun) from the 10th through 15th centuries, many of which had imperfect and tragic stories, which informed ROSALÍA’s coarse concepts of holiness expressed on LUX. LUX’s orchestration was inspired by ROSALÍA’s several years of studies at prestigious musical conservatories in Spain; in fact Rosie’s 2020 Grammy award winning LP, “El Mal Querer” was her baccalaureate project for the Catalonia College of Music.
Lily Allen, Pussy Palace (Alternative/Pop)- After having her first 3 LP’s (from 2006-
2014) chart at #1 in the UK, Lily Allen took a hiatus to focus on motherhood, sobriety,
acting and staying out of the tabloids. However, Lily is back with a bang-telling of the recent collapse of her marriage in her new critically acclaimed LP “West End Girl”. Neuphorian Lindsey succinctly captured Lily's blunt vulnerability in "West End Girl" saying there is "not a single metaphor in the entire album....."
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Told chronologically, the LP starts with an optimism about her move to New York with
her famous actor husband, but as “West End Girl” continues, the relationship devolves
into infidelity and crisis; the graphic hit song “Pussy Palace” is the nadir. Ultimately as
the LP closes, Lily gains some perspective and stability.
Magdalena Bay, Unoriginal (Alternative)- LA/Miami’s Magdalena Bay is still somewhat undiscovered, yet their new single “Unoriginal” was named one of Pitchfork’s new songs of the week and is in Reddit Popheads top 10. “Unoriginal”s vocals, production, instrumentation and song progression are anything but unoriginal.
Otis Kane, Roses (R&B)- Otis Kane is the performing name for LA producer/songwriter, Anthony Vasquez. “Roses” is from Kane’s November EP “Love is Alive” and features his measured falsetto against a retro-funky arrangement.
Taylor Swift, The Life of a Showgirl- Acoustic Version (Pop)- As if Tay-Tay’s chart dominance was not sufficient.......she decided to release “The Life of a Showgirl + Acoustic Collection” in November. If stripping a song down to its studs is a test of it’s true quality, “The Life of a Showgirl” passes decisively!
Cody Johnson, Travelin’ Soldier (Country)- It’s been a long road to stardom for Cody Johnson as he self-released 6 albums, while he worked variously as a bull rider and prison guard, before landing a record contract and then charting 4 Top 5 Country LP’s. Presently #12 in US streaming charts, the socially conservative-leaning Cody’s choice of covering The (Dixie) Chicks “Travelin’ Soldier” is a curiosity to me, given that it was written from a female perspective. Is Cody trying to tell us something when he sings “I cried, never gonna hold the hand of another guy”?
The Neighbourhood, Hula Girl (Alternative)- While the Neighbourhood just released a new LP on Nov. 14 th , they’ve never really left our consciousness as 2012’s “Sweater Weather” is still presently #12 on the Spotify Global streaming charts. Their just released 5 th LP “(((((ultrasound)))))” features “Hula Girl”, a song about being saved from a metaphorical “crash” by a dashboard hula ornament.
Trivia- Even though The Neighbourhood uses the British spelling of their name and have a Britpop/Oasis sound, they are indeed from LA, following in the footsteps of many Brit-influenced 80's and 90's LA bands.
FKA Twigs, Sushi (Alternative)- Twigs’ Nov.14 th release of two different sequel LP’s to the Grammy nominated “EUSEXUA” has been met with confusion; one LP being the totally new “EUSEXUA Afterglow” and the other LP being “EUSEXUA”- but with 4 songs replaced. However, with the thumping NYC club bass and Twigs’ guttural singing of “Sushi on Monday, Dancing on Tuesday, Karaoke on Wednesday, I Wanna take you out”, there is nothing confusing about the banging “Sushi”!
Danny Brown, Lift You Up (Rap/House)- Experimental Detroit rapper Danny Brown is known as being a genre chameleon, with the constants in his music being his wacky lyrics/vocals and his references to drug culture. In his new LP, "Starburst", he takes another left turn embracing sobriety and dance music- as evidenced in the Chicago House-influenced slapper, "Lift You Up".
For the record, I miss Danny's original quirky look before he got his teeth fixed......
HUGEL & SOLTO, Jamaican (Bam Bam)- (Dance/DanceHall)- “Jamaican (Bam Bam)” continues the theme of mixing house and world music. Sister Nancy’s classic 1982 Jamaican dancehall anthem “Bam Bam” is likely the most sampled reggae song ever. This time it is shamelessly Euro-trashy French DJ’s HUGEL & SOLTO’s turn- and they use Caribbean rhythms and European house production to convert “Bam Bam” into a dancefloor weapon.
Trini Baby, Ouu La La (Caribbean)- 25 year-old Trinidadian, Vernice Herreira (Trini Baby), is an emerging star on the Caribbean soca music scene. “Ouu La La” is an infectious blend of Caribbean soca, kompa and zouk sub-genres- and was named one of the new releases of the week by Pitchfork.
Seyi Vibez, HOW ARE YOU? (Afrobeats)- Nigerian Seyi Vibez new LP “FUJI MOTO” is #1 in West Africa, with its songs dominating the streaming charts there. My favorite cut is the simmering “HOW ARE YOU?” as it fuses Seyi’s distinctive deep vocal with a western nujazz vibe, an Amapiano log bass, a jagged Vybz Kartel sample and a clipped African backing chorus. "I dey jus' fine listening to your banga, Mr. Vibez"
Oneohtrix Point Never, Lifeworld (Electronic)- Oneohtrix Point Never (“OPN”) is the pseudonym for experimental electronic musician, Daniel Lopatin, who in other incarnations has been the architect of the Weeknd’s original retro-futuristic sound and notable film scores. The ethereal “Lifeworld” is from his November LP, “Tranquilizer”, which has received rave reviews, being described as “rescuing a humble collection of functional sounds from oblivion transforming them into an unusual, yet highly…evocative album.”
D’Leesa, Higher (R&B)- While R&B singer, D’Leesa just debuted in October 2025, she has already released 2 LP’s and 7 separate singles in the month since. “Higher” was named one of the new songs of the week by Pitchfork and it’s bare production showcases D’Leesa’s soulful and vulnerable vocal and the raw industrial percussive sample. D'Leescious!!!
Dave & James Blake, History (Rap/R&B)- South London rapper Dave’s 3rd LP, late
October’s “The Boy Who Played the Harp” has reached #1 in the UK- same as his two
other albums- and included “History” which charted at #9. “History” features Dave
rapping about his given name’s connection to the biblical King David- and how that
helps him overcome difficult circumstances- while his raps blend seamlessly into James
Blake’s dreamy verse.
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Trivia- Despite having a difficult childhood, with his family being sometimes homeless
and his older brothers in prison for violent crimes, Dave flourished in school being
admitted to study law before electing to pursue his music career.
ROSALÍA, Mio Cristo Piange Diamanti (Classical/Opera)- ROSALÍA has commented on “being in constant change” and fearing “staying still”. In “Mio Cristo…..”, that means performing an Italian language aria requiring technical dynamism and flawless breath control. Simply stunning.